My friend gave me a cracked version of Vista that I tried to install on my extra harddrive, after many fail attempts to try to get it work my roommate tried to remove this files from the hard drive (* couldnt use the cracked CD due to very bad dog that used it as a chew toy*). Well long story short alot of the files are protected and are unable to be delete manualy. We tried right clicking and checking the protection box, but it goes back automaticaly. Is there any ways to get them off the hard drive to free up space without formating it?

Um, try running cmd.exe or similar in a UAC'd administrative role maybe?

Step 1: Get Windows 7
Step 2:
Step 3: Profit. Well, for Microsoft, but it will bring you much happiness.

A cracked version of Vista sounds like what happens when you get a LazieBoy chair left by the side of the road.

Otherwise you might have to get a DOS boot disc and see if you can delete the directory that Vista lives in using the command line.

Um, try running cmd.exe or similar in a UAC'd administrative role maybe?
Tried that, but I keep getting access denied for the files when trying to delete

Don't try to steal software and you won't have this problem!

Hey now, I haven't payed for anything from Microsoft since DOS 5, and I never have that problem.